Sisters’ kidney transplant a success

Transplant surgery for sisters Geri Whalen and Dana Christner was “very successful” at UPMC-Presbyterian Hospital Jan. 16, according to another sister, Sondra Hathaway of McMurray.

Geri Whalen of Venetia received a kidney from her older sister Dana Christner of North Carolina. Within hours of the surgery, Hathaway said Whalen’s kidney was already working.

Both will recover at Family House in Pittsburgh.

There will be a fundraiser to help with expenses not covered by medical insurance beginning at 5 p.m. Jan. 24 at Del’s Bar and Ristorante in Bloomfield. There is a $10 cover charge with appetizers and pasta bar, organized by another sister, Jennifer LaBella. For more information on the fund raiser, call 412-860-8805.

Once Geri Whalen heals from the kidney transplant, she will be placed on the active list for a pancreas. She has been diabetic since she was 9 years old.

To make a donation in Whalen’s honor, visit www.transplants.org and select Find an NFT Patient. Or, contributions may be sent to NFT Pennsylvania Transplant Fund, 5350 Poplar Ave., Suite 430, Memphis, TN 38119 and write In Honor of Geri Whalen in the subject line.